Methanol production process –

Methanol can be obtained from fossil and renewable raw materials. 

The most relevant though is natural gas.

Syngas preparation

The feedstock, natural gas, is first preheated for removal of sulphur compounds (desulphurization). 

Preheated and desulphurized, natural gas is then catalytically reformed to produce synthesis gas which consists of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Methanol synthesis —

In this step syngas reacts with the help of copper catalyst to produce crude methanol. 

Crude methanol generally contains water and small quantities of by-products.

Methanol distillation —

High purity methanol is typically obtained through a two-column distillation system. 

The first column removes light ends, i.e. typically those impurities which are more volatile than methanol. 

The second column separates water and other by-products such as heavy alcohols, thus providing high quality methanol.